Bloodline Traders! I

[Basic mana sense]

He activated the skill the moment they neared the bloodline trader's building.

Rex and Darius slipped into the building, the air was thick with a gloomy aura. Pale moonlight filtered through the dirty glass windows.

Rex had decided to involve Darius and Arcane in the fight, while Ash—the Flame Roc—was left to rest in Tamer's Sanctuary because of its weakened state.

After entering, they leaned on a wall to scan the surroundings. Even though the range was short, the skill's senses captured 3 rooms beside him, lined up in a straight line.

Rex focused on the closest room, his mana sense telling him two men were inside.

Fortunately, the building had just a bunch of rag-tags, unlike a big organization that would have guards keeping watch everywhere. And through his skill, he could also sense their Mortal ranks.

"There are two Mortals inside the room next to us," Rex informed Darius in a hushed tone, who nodded resolutely as he held a brand new sharp sword.

"Just as we planned," Rex said, then called, {Come out, Arcane}.

Rex and Darius walked toward the door. With a nod, they pushed it open, entering inside, and as the men turned their heads, Darius yelled, "Brother, look, we've got a new bloodline beast here," he said, pointing at Arcane.

"Who are you peo—" a man asked in confusion, and before that confusion could transition to cautiousness…

[Blink Step]

Bzzzt!

Darius closed in swiftly and pressed his sword against one man, while Arcane had her Thunderbolt pinned down on the other.

Within seconds, a sharp sword and a lightning bolt loomed over them like death.

They both were easily intimidated. taking advantage of their fear, Rex threatened, "Move or speak, and you both die." His voice echoed in their ears coldly.

"Blink if you understand."

Terrified, they blinked rapidly, with anxiousness visible on their faces.

"Good," Rex praised. "Now," he said, closing in, "give me all the information about this building," he demanded.

[Taming Complete]

[Subjugated Rank: Ryan & Milan]

Both the Mortals hastily spoke everything truthfully, and after getting all the information, Rex grimly muttered, "Do it," with an expressionless face.

Darius drove the sword inside the man's heart, as Arcane drove the bolt of lightning toward another.

"Noo, Ple—"

They fell with a low thud; one had a sword wound, and the other a charred chest.

Rex couldn't hesitate to kill them. He knew these were the same men who would come for him if he didn't strike first. It was either him or the bloodline trader… and the choice was clear.

[Tamed Entity: {Ryan | Milan}] have perished.

Loyalty at death: ↡30%

Choose Action: [Tame Soul] / [Devour Entity]

Tame one, Devour another, he decided, as he had planned.

Soon a golden orb flashed into existence, filled with mana.

Rex quickly picked it up and crushed the orb. Mana surged into his body, bringing the same invigorating feeling back, while also refilling his used-up mana core.

Narrowing his eyes, an incredible thought crept into his mind, What if I keep killing and devouring, will my mana never end? Putting those thoughts behind, he focused.

While he thought of this, Ryan's ethereal form finally materialized, visible to the naked eye.

"I... what's happening?"

"Try anything funny, and you will cease to exist. Forever" Rex warned looking at his soul form and ordered, "Now, Bring Arcane with you, and introduce us as beast sellers."

"…"

Ryan nodded without any resistance, and all four went to the next room.

"Grey and Tito, meet our new friend here. He wants to sell a bloodline lightning beast," Ryan spoke to another man named Grey as the group entered the room.

Grey looked puzzled, as he questioned while processing the moment, "What happened to you, Ryan? Why does your body look ethereal?" And then his tone changed to a sneer. "Why did you bring others here, you dumbfuck," he rasped, looking at Rex's group.

[Taming Complete. Subjugated Rank: {Tito}]

While they were bickering, Rex had already tamed the Mortal human who was in the room. Now all that remained was the ranked man named Grey. Since he was equal to Rex's rank, the taming was taking its time.

The ethereal soul looked at Rex with a weird look, as he was at a loss for words.

"Alright, you guys stay here, and don't try anything funny. Ryan… I'll deal with you later, but informing this to the boss comes first," the ranked man threatened and started walking in the direction of the door.

<{Grey} Progress: 90%>

"Excuse me, sir," Rex turned and called out to the man who was heading for the door.

The man stopped and looked at Rex. "What?"

<{Grey} Progress: 95%>

"Can you… uh… how do they say it…?"

Grey Frowned. "Say it already."

<{Grey} Progress: 100%>

Rex snapped his fingers. "Ahh, yes. Can you please die for me, sir?" Rex asked politely with a small smile.

Thud

The man's face contorted, as from Rex's backside he saw his friend Tito falling to Darius's sword, and soon…

Zap!

A single purple lightning bolt burst from Arcane, ripping through the cramped room and straight into the man's chest.

[Taming Complete. Subjugated Rank: {Grey}]

System, you are slow, he muttered with a smirk.

[Tamed Entity: {Tito (Mortal) | Grey (1–Star)}] have perished.

Loyalty at death: ↡8% — ↡4%

Choose Action: [Tame Soul] / [Devour Entity]

Devour, he decided, and two orbs formed. Without hesitation, he used both.

One orb's mana poured into him like usual, whereas the second one gave him a 'Remnant Shard.' He quickly used the Remnant Shard, and some… rather embarrassing memories flowed into Rex's mind.

He grinned. He could already begin forming a plan with these memories.

Then, he gestured for Ryan, and they left for the third room, his soul form making things easier for them.

The third room had just two Mortals: one man and one woman, who fell easily in a similar way to the first two rooms. Two orbs appeared in a similar fashion, but they disappeared just as quickly when Rex used them.

Now, according to Ryan's information, there was another floor and a chamber connected to that floor where their boss, a 3–Star Ascender, dwelled.

Ryan covertly led them to the second floor, ensuring no one saw them as Rex's group followed close behind.